But they’re also offering 30% off their DESKTOP AND IPAD PRO Apps. Get individual apps for freakishly low prices. There are FAR too many to list here, but check them all out on the checkout page (some effects are only $4.19 after the discount!)

DO NOT FORGET to use the code: SUMMERSALE at checkout, and get an amazing, amusing, creative, powerful set of image edit and effects tools for some ridiculously low prices! I love these apps (especially Spektrel Art, Watercolor StudioPro , and Impresso Pro), and I think you will, too!

Photographers LOVE On1 Photo RAW 2018.1!

The Adobe World is an excellent one. So much so, that even it’s competitor, On1 has made it’s software usable as a plugin to Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.

BUT, On1 Photo RAW 2018.1 has positioned itself to be a replacement for the Adobe workflow – without having to pay subscription fees! Now, I have to admit, this software is for image editing, refining, adjusting, and it doesn’t have near the capabilities of Photoshop for Compositing, Animation, 3D and more. This is an Image Editor – and a SERIOUSLY GREAT ONE! There are so many refinements and effects, you can take an image you might have thought to throw away, and create something you may want to hang on your wall! If your focus is Photography, this is one you can’t do without! And it’s all available for $69!!!

Today, Skylum (previously MacPhun) Software released a new update to their amazing photo editor, Luminar(this version called Jupiter).
Of course, Luminar can be used as a Photoshop Plugin, but it’s also positioned to work as a Lightroom/Photoshop replacement for photo editing (all this, WITHOUT a subscription fee!)

Pricing as follows:

Current users of Luminar may upgrade for $49 ($39 with coupon code SGANS_DISC)New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 with coupon code SGANS_DISC)

The Complete Landscape Photography Guide ebook from Photzy (worth $50) – An outstanding guide written by professional photographer and writer Kent DuFault. This ebook has something for everyone, with 237 pages packed full of information and assignments that will transform your landscape photography.

Splitsville Presets By Brian Matiash (worth $15) – Add a professional polish to your images with these cool presets.

We have a TON of new and updated features in this one:

Speed improvements to get more done in less time

Skylum has dramatically increased the speed of editing across all areas of Luminar. Now images open faster, filters apply quicker, and the entire application is more responsive.

Most users will see snappier sliders as they’ve gained performance boosts of 3-25x for easier adjustments.

Luminar better uses the operating system for faster performance, with many operations seeing significant boosts.

Luminar Jupiter also got numerous interface and user experience improvements based on users’ feedback for an improved editing experience. The new version has several “under-the-hood” enhancements to add stability as well as to improve performance when editing even the largest of images.

Better RAW conversion

Cleaner gradients. Improved de-mosaic process for even cleaner image conversion, i.e. smooth transitions in areas like skies and shadows for accurate color and less noise.

Fewer halos.If an image has high contrast areas, the improved Defringe option will help with backlit areas or strong contrast.

More cameras, better compatibility. Now even more RAW formats can be edited natively with the RAW Develop filter. Plus, a large set of existing camera modules have been refined for even better RAW conversion.

Reduced chromatic aberration. If a lens shows color artifacts in high contrast or backlit areas, the new Auto Chromatic aberration removal option will help to get rid of green and cyan shifts.

Automatic lens distortion removal

Getting the perfect shot is now easier than ever. The RAW Develop filter analyzes an image and its metadata to calculate an Automatic Lens Distortion fix that can be applied in one-click. This is a perfect tool to get rid of wide angle distortion and get truer perspective lines and more attractive portraits.

Advanced support for DCP Profiles

Luminar recognizes the industry standard DNG Camera Profile, or “DCP” files, that users may already have on their computers (or have purchased from third parties) to ensure accurate and consistent colors. Users will also be able to use DCP profiles from DNG files. This feature is currently available for Mac and will be available soon for Windows.

Essential New Features for Windows Users

The Skylum team has put a lot of effort into making the Windows experience be world-class and significantly faster. In fact, the PC version now matches the Mac version for all core features with Batch Processing, Free Transform and Flip and Rotate tools.

NEW: EASY TRANSFORMATIONS. To easily transform the shape of an image, the Free Transform tool can scale and position an object as needed. Plus users can easily Flip and Rotate an image using the Image menu commands.

Better cloning. Users can quickly call up the Clone & Stamp module by pressing Ctrl + J. Softness, opacity, and size of the brush can also now be modified.

Cleaner zooms. Accelerated zooming now delivers a cleaner image at all sizes. Images appear sharper when the zoom is beyond 100% for detail work. Plus the new version provides a cleaner preview when zoomed out to see the whole image.

Preview mode.To check out a photo free from any distractions users can now use Full Screen Preview – a great way to really study an image in detail.

Localization support.It’s even easier to use Luminar in a different language. The localizations have been improved for greater accuracy and can now be changed from the File menu in Windows version.

Better masking controls. Users can create masks more easily when painting masks. Holding down the spacebar and dragging with the cursor, pans and moves the image when masking.

Improved workflow with other applications.When using Luminar as a plugin with other applications, color profiles are properly included. This change also improves image exporting with attached profiles.

MacPhun Software has officially become SKYLUM. Over the years, their offerings have become renowned as extraordinary Photoshop Plugins and stand-alone Photo Editing Apps on BOTH platforms, so their new focus is to ensure that people know that the power of these apps are no longer strictly Mac-based (and haven’t been for some time!

Currently, they’re offering Purchase and Upgrade discounts on Luminar 2018 and Aurora HDR 2018, along with some excellent bonuses. But hurry – This offer is only valid from February 15 Through February 26, 2018

is a universal all-in-one photo app designed to offer everything a modern photographer needs for photo editing. Luminar features advanced controls that are easy to use. Intelligent filters like Accent AI make it easy to get a great-looking image in seconds. Users will also benefit from new intelligent filters and real-time noise removal. With default and custom adaptive workspaces tailored to match styles of shooting, and scores of one-click categorized presets, Luminar delivers a complete experience that avoids clutter and complexity. – Experience it today by clicking here.

See these sample Before and After photos, to see what you can accomplish with Luminar 2018

(voted Best Mac App of the Year) is the world’s ultimate HDR photo solution, chock full of new tools and capabilities that will exceed your expectations. As a one-stop tool kit for casual and pro photographers alike, it’s versatile interface features a faster, more powerful, more feature-rich and satisfying experience than any other HDR software or combination of tools. Perfect for single shots or multiple-exposure brackets, Aurora HDR 2018 gives you the ultimate freedom to create.

See these sample Before and After photos, to see what you can accomplish with Aurora HDR 2018

Two vulnerabilities have been found that attack the Central Processing Units of almost all computers – Windows AND Mac.

If this vulnerability is exploited, your computer may be subject to ALL of your information being visible to whoever is attacking the machine.

While most individual users are less likely to be targeted, we’re all still open to this problem – and it may never be completely fixable. However, this article from PC World will educate your further, and teach you what you may do to try to partially protect yourself.

On Macs, I’ve been advocating removal of most antiviral software – however now, I’m going to suggest that users on both platforms take advantage of the protection that may be enabled by a good Antivirus/ID Protection package.

Macphun’s Black Friday offers are here!

This year, both apps are offered with special bonuses AND with special Black Friday pricing! In fact, they’re now ALSO offering their previous versions of the MacPhun Creative Kit 2016 (and also their individual apps) at a 30% discount

About Luminar:
Luminar 2018 offers everything a modern photographer needs for photo editing, including new filters powered by artificial intelligence, major speed improvements, a dedicated RAW develop module and a forthcoming in 2018; digital asset management platform.

Users will also benefit from the new intelligent Sun Rays filter, LUT support, and real-time noise removal. With workspaces that match different styles of editing, Luminar adapts to deliver a complete experience that avoids clutter and complexity.

Luminar 2018 has been re-built from the ground up for dramatic performance boosts. Existing filters deliver richer colors and depth in less time. A brand new streamlined user interface speeds up working with presets, filters, and masks. With full support of pro options like layers, masks, and blending modes, complex repairs and photo composites can be easily accomplished.

In fact, Luminar has just received it’s first point update – the new version is 1.0.1

Current users of Luminar may upgrade at a Black Friday price of $49 ($39 with your coupon code)

New users can purchase Luminar 2018 for $69 ($59 with your coupon code)

Aurora HDR is not just a tool for merging bracketed images, it also provides numerous tools and countless options to create perfect HDR photos for every taste – from one-click presets and advanced tone-mapping, to layers, noise reduction, and powerful luminosity masking controls.

Current users of Aurora HDR may upgrade at a Black Friday price of $49 ($39 with your coupon code)

PHOTOLEMUR 2.2 SPECTRE – The easiest, smartest Photo Enhancer I’ve found is on a Black Friday deal this weekend! For a limited time, save as much as 60% off, and prices as low as $24!

The new version of Photolemur 2.2 Spectre offers:

Opacity Slider
After a successful launch of the Photolemur 2.0, we received feedback from our users that they wanted to have at least some control over the end result. That’s why tith 2.2, you have full control over the image processing technology. In the new version of the app, we’ll present one slider that will help to control that beautiful end result. With this new feature –– you and only you define the final look of your photos.
Smarter Enhancement Tech

This Photo Enhancer, which uses artificial intelligence to make your photos better- whether you’ve shot with your device, your fancy DSLR in Camera RAW, or with any other photo method will give you simple, quick, one-click improvements for all your photos.

Perfect for professional photographers as well as amateurs, PHOTOLEMUR 2.0 Spectre can push your photography to the next level. You just load your photo into the app and the tech is doing everything else.

For anyone who wants beautiful photographic results, using artificial intelligence with no learning curve, this is the application for you!

Discover new intelligent algorithms, an improved RAW engine and much more.

What’s new?

SMART SLIDERMove it back and forth to see how you control the process (and the end result).

NEW ALGORITHMSInnovative algorithms thoroughly analyze your images and improve their quality from there.+ new sky enhancement, new noise reduction, plugin for photoshop (windows only) and more than 10 other improvements

As many of you know, I’m not a fan of upgrading my operating system for a great deal of time after the release of any new ones. Currently, I’m using Sierra 10.12.6, and will be continuing to hold off on upgrades. However, some people have either upgraded already, or have bought new equipment that comes with the new OS already installed.

For users of Adobe Creative Cloud products (as well as several other developer’s products), High Sierra has introduced quite a few bugs that need to be resolved.

Fortunately, Adobe has a page about compatibility issues with several of their products, with some workarounds and temporary fixes, until they resolve the problem with a CC update.